-LRB- CNN -RRB- In 1985 , Meng Weina set up China 's first private special needs school in the southern city of Guangzhou .

As a single mother she was motivated to help those who are often overlooked by the country 's health care system and stigmatized by society .

From her first center in Guangzhou , Weina now has Hui Ling operations in a dozen cities across China providing a range of services , from kindergartens and primary schools to youth workshops and adult residential homes .

The expansion of the donation-funded NGO shows not just the success of the Weina 's vision but the desperate need for mental health care provision in China .

`` We estimate that only 10 % of people with intellectual disabilities in China are receiving some kind of care or help , '' said Weina .

According to a 2009 study published in British medical journal The Lancet , around 173 million Chinese suffer from a mental disorder . However there are only 20,000 psychiatrists , equaling 1.5 for each 100,000 people , or a tenth of the ratio in the United States .

Mental health legislation

Last year saw the introduction of China 's first mental health legislation , which took a reported 27 years to pass .

Among the changes from the law are new financing initiatives for mental health services and training for primary care-givers . Perhaps the most significant was a new set of rights for patients , including not being hospitalized against their will .

Negative perceptions of those with metal health problems are often portrayed in the media in China ; they are either victims or perpetrators of violence .

Weina knows that each individual that comes to a Hui Ling center has their own set of needs and unique personality , and helping bring out their best encourages her to keep working .

`` I wanted to do something to make my life worth while , '' said Weina .

`` When I see the smiles on their faces , when I see that these adults are truly happy to be at Hui Ling , that for me is the happiest moment . ''

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Meng Weina set up first private special needs school in China

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From the first center in Guangzhou there are now Hui Ling operations in a dozen Chinese cities

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Only one in ten people with mental health issues receives care , suggests Weina